Help Your Young Children with Their Oral Health Every Chance You Can

Posted May 16, 2017

Help your young children with their oral health every chance you can. Their smile depends on you and the oral health care tactics and techniques you help them employ. The most important technique you should use for your child is brushing their teeth, which should be done twice every day, just as in full-grown adults.

A child's first tooth begins to erupt around the age of 6 months. A tooth eruption refers to a tooth breaking above the gum line. This process can be painful, but there are treatment methods available to help your child feel better. However, the tooth is now exposed to the elements so it must be effectively cared for.

Brush a child's teeth with a brush that can fully extend to all areas of their mouth and reach all sides of their teeth safely and easily. Never share a toothbrush with your child. Typically, you will need to replace your child's toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if necessary. For each brushing session, a blob of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice will suffice.

Before your child turns one, bring them in to speak with our pediatrician. If you would like to meet with Dr. Brent Porter and our team at Brent J Porter DDS for an orthodontic examination, please call 831-459-9802 to schedule an appointment at our pediatric office in Santa Cruz, California. Come on in to learn more about your child's options to get the bright and healthy smile they need.